Game 55.Kings at Rangers.
The Rangers continue this stretch of difficult opponents — Pittsburgh, Los Angeles, Philly and Chicago — in a 2014 Stanley Cup Final rematch.
Antti Raanta starts in goal as Rangers coach Alain Vigneault attempts to keep Henrik Lundqvist fresh down the stretch and into the playoffs.
Raanta haan’t played since a loss in Washington Jan. 17, and had only one other appearance – in relief – since suffering a concussion in Minnesota Dec. 17. His last win was Nov. 15 vs. Toronto (0-4-1 since). Raanta had begun the season 4-0, allowing just five goals.
He has faced the Kings twice in his career: 2-0-0, 0.50, .979, one shutout.
Down the other end is the Kings’ third-string goalie, with No. 1 Jonathan Quick injured and backup Jhonas Enroth having played in Brooklyn Thursday.
Peter Budaj, whose last NHL appearance was Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Final in 2014 – after Carey Price was injured in a collision with Chris Kreider – and allowed three goals on eight shots, got the nod. The Canadiens went with Dustin Tokarski in Game 2 and for the rest of that series, and Budaj hadn’t played in the league since.
The Rangers are on a four-game winning streak, and 12-6-1 in their last 19. On home ice they have won five in a row and are 9-1-1 in their last 11, and 19-4-1 in their last 24.
The Kings have lost two of three and five of their last eight after an extended streak of excellence – 29-10-3.
The Rangers got a small dose of good news Friday when Ryan McDonagh (concussion) took a light twirl on the ice before practice. Rick Nash (deep bone bruise) remains sidelined, and is not skating, still experiencing pain, according to Vigneault.
Dan Girardi plays his 700th NHL game.
The Kings have a decidedly different look with Quick out, and newcomers Milan Lucic and Vinny Lecavalier, two players with whom the Rangers are quite familiar.
Tonight’s probable lineup:
Kreider-Stepan-Zuccarello.
Miller-Brassard-Fast.
Lindgerg-Hayes-Stalberg.
Glass-Moore-Paille.
Staal-Girardi.
Boyle-McIlrath.
Yandle-Klein.
Raanta/Lundqvist.
THIS DAY IN RANGERS HISTORY
- Feb. 11, 1968 – The Rangers played their final game at the “Old Garden” (MSG III). The Blueshirts tied the Detroit Red Wings, 3-3.
- Feb. 11, 1994 – Due to a snowstorm in the New York area, the Rangers’ contest against the Quebec Nordiques was postponed.
- Feb. 11, 2001 – Theo Fleury tallied his seventh shorthanded goal of the 2000-01 season as the Rangers tied the New Jersey Devils, 1-1. Fleury’s seven shorthanded goals are a single-season franchise record.
- Feb. 12, 1966 – Reg Fleming, Vic Hadfield, and Jean Ratelle each registered four points as the Rangers defeated the Boston Bruins, 9-2, at MSG.
- Feb. 12, 1972 – The Rangers established several franchise records during an 8-3 win against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Walt Tkaczuk registered five assists to establish a single-game franchise record. Jean Ratelle tallied two goals in the contest and recorded his 89th point of the 1971-72 season, establishing a franchise record for points in one season (at the time). Brad Park tallied his second hat trick of the 1971-72 season and established a franchise record for goals by a defenseman in one season (at the time).
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